No account yet?
 

Latest WFU News
Join Us!
PDF Print E-mail

Legislation

Wisconsin Farmers Union is a member of the National Farmers Union. Our government relations office plays a key role in legislative action that affects rural living and family farms. WFU is committed to providing effective grassroots leadership to build a sustainable economic system in which family farms and rural communities can thrive and prosper. To that end, we must ensure that our priorities are in front of the nation’s decision makers, and that our voices are heard. We do this by educating and activating our members, and by supporting efforts to lobby in Madison and Washington, D.C.

WFU may participate in NFU legislative fly-ins several times a year so our members can voice their concerns directly to our representatives in Congress. We also bring rural matters to the public’s attention through lobbying days in Madison, Wis., town meetings, letters, issue briefings, testimony and media coverage.

WFU has made clear and concise recommendations to legislators regarding these topics and more:

  • Health Care for Farm Families
  • Working Lands Preservation
  • Farm Bill
  • Country of Origin Labeling (COOL)
  • Renewable Energy
  • Disaster Relief
  • Agribusiness Anti-Trust
  • Dairy Policies
  • Conservation
  • Cooperatives
  • International Trade Standards
  • Commodity Marketing and Pricing
  • Food BioSecurity
  • School Milk and Lunch Programs
  • Rural Access to Technology
  • Transmission Lines & Stray Voltage
  • Eminent Domain
  • Estate Taxation
  • Wildlife Concerns (Wolves, Chronic Wasting Disease, etc)

As you can see, WFU is concerned and involved with all aspects of rural living, agriculture and horticulture. There are many opportunities for education, leadership training, and involvement in our democratic process. Join Wisconsin Farmers Union, and become an advocate for rural living and the family farm. Add your voice and be heard, as collective action brings about positive change.

Speeches

Wisconsin Farmers Union Vice President Patty Edelburg's speech to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions Bank Examiners' Seminar, July 14, 2009, Madison, Wis.

Testimony

Testimony regarding Consolidation & Anti-trust: Testimony by Darin Von Ruden, WFU President, on behlaf of Wisconsin Farmers Union, presented to the Department of Justice & USDA (June 25, 2010)

Testimony regarding the Groundwater Protection Bill: Testimony by Darin Von Ruden, WFU President, on behalf of Wisconsin Farmers Union, presented to the Senate Committee on the Environment (March 23, 2010) 

Testimony regarding raw-milk: Testimony by Darin Von Ruden, WFU President, on behalf of Wisconsin Farmers Union, presented to the Assembly Committee on Rural Economic Development & Senate Committee on Agriculture and Higher Education (March 10, 2010)

Testimony regarding Lifestock Siting Rule: Testimony by Darin Von Ruden, WFU President, on behalf of Wisconsin Farmers Union, (February 23, 2010)

 

Testimony regarding the dairy crisis: Testimony by Patty Edelburg, WFU Vice President and Sarah Lloyd, WFU member, on behalf of Wisconsin Farmers Union, presented to the Wisconsin State Assembly on Agriculture (September 24, 2009)

Testimony regarding DATCP Livestock Siting Rule: Testimony by Scott Schultz, WFU Executive Director, on behalf of Wisconsin Farmers Union, presented to the DATCP board of directors (May 13, 2009)

 

 

Testimony regarding SB 185/AB 256, Uniform Statewide Wind Siting Standards: by Mike Stranz, WFU Government Relations Consultant, on behalf of Wisconsin Farmers Union, presented to Wisconsin State Legislature Joint Committee on (May 12, 2009)

Testimony regarding Governor Doyle's 2009-2011 Biennial Budget Bill: Testimony by Scott Schultz, WFU Executive Director, on behalf of Wisconsin Farmers Union, presented to the Wisconsin State Legislature Joint Committee on Finance (March 27, 2009)

Testimony regarding the Working Lands Initiative: Comments by Kevin Shelley, WFU member, on behalf of Wisconsin Farmers Union, presented to Wisconsin State Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Senate Committee on Agriculture and Higher Learning (March 4, 2009)

How Are High Food Prices Impacting American Families? Testimony by National Farmers Union President Tom Buis , presented to the U.S. Congressional Joint Economic Committee (May 1, 2008)

Testimony regarding SB 81, the Wisconsin Safe Climate Act: Comments by Patty Edelburg, WFU District 4 Director, on behalf of Wisconsin Farmers Union, presented to the Wisconsin State Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee (September 27, 2007)

 

Comments regarding the 2007 Farm Bill: Comments by Sue Beitlich, WFU President, on behalf of Wisconsin Farmers Union, presented to U.S. Senator Herb Kohl at his farm bill forum (August 9, 2007)

 

Testimony regarding Governor Doyle's 2007-09 Biennial Budget Bill: Testimony by Grant Schultz, WFU Communications Specialist, on behalf of Wisconsin Farmers Union, presented to the Wisconsin State Legislature Joint Committee on Finance (March 27, 2007)

 

Testimony regarding proposed health care reform plans: Testimony by Sue Beitlich, WFU President, on behalf of Wisconsin Farmers Union, presented to the Wisconsin State Senate Committee on Health and Human Services (March 22, 2007)

 

Statement regarding revisions to NR 243 related to animal feeding operations: Testimony by Walter Lueder, WFU District 9 Director, on behalf of the Wisconsin Farmers Union, presented to the Wisconsin State Assembly Committee on Agriculture and the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Insurance (August 3, 2006)

 

Opposing Assembly Bill 327, the Unincorporated Cooperative Association Act: Testimony by Doug Caruso, WFU member, on behalf of the Wisconsin Farmers Union, presented to the Wisconsin State Senate Committee on Agriculture and Insurance (March 6, 2006)

 

Requesting a public hearing on Assembly Bill 327, the Unincorporated Cooperative Association Act: Letter by Sue Beitlich, WFU President, submitted to members of the Committee on Rural Development (January 24, 2006)

 

In Support of Senate Bill 15, Relating to Ethanol Requirements: Statement of Jamie Derr, on behalf of the Wisconsin Farmers Union, presented to the Senate Agriculture Committee (January 18, 2006)

 

In Support of Encouraging Infrastructure to Support Flexible Fuel Vehicles: Statement of Kathleen Vinehout, on behalf of the Wisconsin Farmers Union, presented to the Assembly Committee on Rural Affairs and Renewable Energy (October 6, 2005)

Wisconsin Farmers Union, Opposing the Unicorporated Cooperative Association Act: Testimony by Sue Beitlich, WFU President , in front of the Assembly Committee on Rural Development (August 24, 2005)

Wisconsin Farmers Union Offers Comments on National Animal ID Program: Testimony by Sue Beitlich, WFU President , at the USDA Public Listening Session in St. Cloud, Minnesota (August 31, 2004)

Farm Leaders Want Fairness and Profitability for Dairy Farmers: Testimony by Sue Beitlich, WFU President , at the USDA's Upper Midwest Milk Marketing Order Emergency Hearing in Bloomington, Minnesota (August 16, 2004)

 
Last Updated on Friday, 25 June 2010 09:55